Children's Clothing Rule Relaxed

CONSUMER

Commission Will Let Faster-burning Wear Be Sold As Sleepwear

May 2, 1996|By ROBIN FIELDS Staff Writer

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission voted this week to lower flammability standards for children's tight-fitting 100 percent cotton clothing and all infant's clothing under size 9 months, making the rules more similar to those for adult garments.

Currently, children's sleepwear must be made to burn more slowly than other children's clothing.

But this week's changes allow 100 percent cotton, tight-fitting playwear, daywear and long underwear that is not as slow-burning to be sold as sleepwear.

Regulators believe the changes will pose little risk because there have been few deaths in which children's sleepwear has caught fire in recent years.

They also said they hope the regulatory switch will encourage parents to choose tight-fitting garments over loose-fitting alternatives such as T-shirts.

The agency has concluded that tight-fitting sleepwear is safer because it does not trap air that could feed a fire. The proximity of skin also soaks up heat that otherwise could cause a fire to spread.

But commission Chairwoman Ann Brown, who voted against the amendments, said she feared the changes would encourage manufacturers to drop flame-retardant garments altogether, because there would be less of a market for them.

She also doubted the rule changes would encourage parents more to choose tight-fitting sleepwear.

"There is no evidence of consumer demand for tight-fitting sleepwear," Brown said. "Indeed, it is more likely consumers will purchase tight-fitting garments in larger sizes to increase comfort and to allow the child to grow into the garment."

The new standards will take effect in about 18 months, but regulators say parents should supervise children carefully regardless of what the rules read.

Source Line: If you have a consumer story idea, enter category 8051. For weekly consumer tips, enter 2780.